A Death in Vienna

named Helmut Schneider.”
    And you’re trying to lead me into a trap,thought Navot. He had prepared himself for a ploy like this. The real Oskar Lange had provided a list of his clients for the last ten years for Navot to memorize. The name Helmut Schneider had not appeared on it.
    “I’ve handled a good many clients over the last few years, but I’m afraid the name Schneider was not among them. Perhaps your friend has me confused with someone else.”
    Navot looked down, opened the latches of his attaché case, and lifted the lid. When he looked up again, Radek’s blue eyes were boring into his, and his drink was rotating on the arm of the chair. There was a frightening stillness about his eyes. It was like being studied by a portrait.
    “Perhaps you’re right.” Radek’s conciliatory tone did not match his expression. “Konrad said you required my signature on some documents concerning the liquidation of the assets in the account.”
    “Yes, that’s correct.”
    Navot removed a file from his attaché and placed the attaché on the floor at his feet. Radek followed the progress of the briefcase downward, then returned his gaze to Navot’s face. Navot lifted the lid of the file folder and looked up. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. Sharp and electronic, it sounded to Navot’s sensitive ears like a scream in a cemetery.
    Radek made no movement. Navot glanced toward the Biedermeier desk, and the telephone rang a second time. It started to ring a third time, then went suddenly silent, as though it had been muzzled midscream. Navot could hear Halder, the bodyguard, speaking on an extension in the corridor.
    “Good evening. . . . No, I’m sorry, but Herr Vogel is in a meeting at the moment.”
    Navot removed the first document from the file. Radek was now visibly distracted, his gaze distant. He was listening to the sound of his bodyguard’s voice. Navot inched forward in his chair and held the paper at an angle so Radek could see it.
    “This is the first document that requires—”
    Radek lifted his hand, demanding silence. Navot heard footfalls in the corridor, followed by the sound of the doors opening. The bodyguard stepped into the room and walked to Radek’s side.
    “It’s Manfred Kruz,” he said in a chapel murmur. “He’d like a word. He says it’s urgent and can’t wait.”
    ERICH RADEK ROSEslowly from his chair and walked to the telephone.
    “What is it, Manfred?”
    “The Israelis.”
    “What about them?”
    “I have intelligence to suggest that during the past few days a large team of operatives has assembled in Vienna in order to kidnap you.”
    “How certain are you of your intelligence?”
    “Certain enough to conclude it’s no longer safe for you to remain in your home. I’ve dispatched a Staatspolizei unit to collect you and take you to a safe location.”
    “No one can get inside here, Manfred. Just put an armed guard outside the house.”
    “We’re dealing with theIsraelis, Herr Vogel. I want you out of the house.”
    “All right, if you insist, but tell your unit to stand down. Klaus can handle it.”
    “One bodyguard isn’t enough. I’m responsible for your security, and I want you under police protection. I’m afraid I have to insist. The intelligence I have is very specific.”
    “When will your officers be here?”
    “Any minute. Get ready to move.”
    He hung up the telephone and looked at the two men seated next to the fire. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I’m afraid I have something of an emergency. We’ll have to finish this another time.” He turned to his bodyguard. “Open the gates, Klaus, and get me a coat.Now. ”
    THE MOTORS OFthe front gates engaged. Mordecai, seated behind the wheel of the Mercedes, looked into his rearview mirror and saw a car turning into the drive from the street, a blue light whirling on the dash. It pulled up behind him and braked hard. Two men piled out and bounded up the front steps. Mordecai reached down and slowly turned the ignition.
    ERICH RADEK WENTinto the corridor. Navot packed his attaché case and stood. Becker remained frozen in place. Navot hooked his fingers beneath the banker’s armpit and lifted him to his feet.
    They followed Radek into the corridor. Blue emergency lights flashed across the walls and ceilings. Radek was next to his bodyguard, speaking quietly into his ear. The bodyguard was holding an overcoat and looked tense. As he helped Radek